RORY MCILROY CONTINUED his brilliant early-season form this morning to take command on day two of the Dubai Desert Classic.
The reigning US Open champion backed up yesterday’s 66 with a bogey-free round of 65, firing seven birdies to open up a two-shot clubhouse lead on 13-under-par.
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World number four Martin Kaymer is hot on his heels at the half-way point, aided by a hole-in-one at the par three seventh hole, the first of the German’s career.
Kaymer finished the day with a 67, two shots behind McIlroy on 11-under-par, setting up the prospect of another high-profile Middle Eastern duel between the pair.
McIlroy got his round off to the best possible start with a birdie on his first hole, the par five 10th, and added three more on the back nine to hit the turn in 33.
“I just kept picking up birdies along the way and it puts me in a great position,” said McIlroy, who added three more birdies on the home stretch. ”I feel a lot more confident than I did in Abu Dhabi.”
The 22-year-old’s clubhouse lead may not even last until the end of the day. Overnight leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello is among the afternoon starters in Dubai, and the Spaniard immediately resumed his challenge with birdies at two and three to move to 11-under-par.
Of the other Irish contenders, a 70 for Shane Lowry leaves him tied for 14th place on six-under-par, while Damien McGrane bounced back from a disappointing opening round to match McIlroy’s 65 today. McGrane moves to four-under-par, one shot ahead of Peter Lawrie who dropped back to three-under with a round of 74.
McIlroy roars into the lead in Dubai
RORY MCILROY CONTINUED his brilliant early-season form this morning to take command on day two of the Dubai Desert Classic.
The reigning US Open champion backed up yesterday’s 66 with a bogey-free round of 65, firing seven birdies to open up a two-shot clubhouse lead on 13-under-par.
World number four Martin Kaymer is hot on his heels at the half-way point, aided by a hole-in-one at the par three seventh hole, the first of the German’s career.
Kaymer finished the day with a 67, two shots behind McIlroy on 11-under-par, setting up the prospect of another high-profile Middle Eastern duel between the pair.
McIlroy got his round off to the best possible start with a birdie on his first hole, the par five 10th, and added three more on the back nine to hit the turn in 33.
“I just kept picking up birdies along the way and it puts me in a great position,” said McIlroy, who added three more birdies on the home stretch. ”I feel a lot more confident than I did in Abu Dhabi.”
The 22-year-old’s clubhouse lead may not even last until the end of the day. Overnight leader Rafael Cabrera-Bello is among the afternoon starters in Dubai, and the Spaniard immediately resumed his challenge with birdies at two and three to move to 11-under-par.
Of the other Irish contenders, a 70 for Shane Lowry leaves him tied for 14th place on six-under-par, while Damien McGrane bounced back from a disappointing opening round to match McIlroy’s 65 today. McGrane moves to four-under-par, one shot ahead of Peter Lawrie who dropped back to three-under with a round of 74.
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Damien McGrane Duabi Desert Classic eastern promise European Tour Golf Martin Kaymer Peter Lawrie Rafael Cabrera-Bello Rory McIlroy Shane Lowry